District of Columbia Median
$74,610
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.87
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+25% vs US median
US median $59,850
State Rank
#13 of 51
620 employed here
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in District of Columbia?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in District of Columbia take home a median of $74,610 annually — roughly $35.87 an hour — which runs 25% above the national median of $59,850.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $50,540 while the top 10% make $98,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,450 and $86,280 a year.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,540 | $24.30 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $65,450 | $31.47 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $74,610 | $35.87 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $86,280 | $41.48 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,270 | $47.25 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 13th out of 51 states and territories for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other states
Hawaii $115,860Illinois $97,740New Jersey $89,660California $87,160Washington $81,700New York $80,980Indiana $79,580Minnesota $79,130Connecticut $78,750Alaska $77,810Massachusetts $76,820Wisconsin $75,280Oregon $73,430Nevada $71,410Ohio $64,940Rhode Island $63,610Wyoming $62,960Michigan $62,690Colorado $62,620New Hampshire $62,200North Dakota $62,150Idaho $61,680Montana $61,580Maryland $61,410Utah $60,740Arizona $60,620Missouri $60,540Pennsylvania $60,530Iowa $60,330South Dakota $59,500Vermont $58,870Nebraska $58,360Delaware $58,020Kentucky $57,780Virginia $57,160Maine $56,140New Mexico $52,000Tennessee $52,000Louisiana $51,700Kansas $51,620West Virginia $51,300Texas $50,460Florida $49,400North Carolina $49,310South Carolina $48,940Oklahoma $47,970Georgia $47,880Alabama $47,520Mississippi $47,410Arkansas $44,520
Working as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in District of Columbia
Nationally, about 478,000 people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($74,610) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in District of Columbia?
The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in District of Columbia is $74,610 per year, or about $35.87 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,540 at the entry level to $98,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators about 25% more than the national median of $59,850. District of Columbia ranks 13th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $74,610 a year. About 620 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.